Uber Eats Driver Deported After Border Mistake: Due Process Under Fire

A Venezuelan Uber Eats driver, Ricardo Prada Vásquez, found himself caught in a border blunder that led to his deportation to El Salvador. This unusual incident has sparked concerns over the treatment of immigrants and the due process of deportation, with many questioning whether a wrong turn at the border should result in such severe consequences.

The Incident: A Simple Mistake with Major Consequences

In January 2025, 32-year-old Ricardo Prada Vásquez was delivering a food order in Detroit when he accidentally drove onto the Ambassador Bridge, a one-way toll bridge connecting the U.S. to Canada.

This simple mistake sent him across the border, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorities detained him upon his attempt to re-enter the U.S. at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. After crossing the border, authorities deemed his legal status invalid, despite granting him permission to enter the U.S. through the CBP One app and awaiting an immigration appointment. This set the stage for his deportation.

Concerns Over Due Process

The swift deportation of Vásquez to El Salvador, without proper legal proceedings, has raised alarms among immigration rights advocates. Ruby Robinson, senior managing attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, voiced concern over how quickly authorities are “fast-tracking” individuals for deportation. She stressed that all immigrants deserve access to due process and legal representation, particularly in cases like Vásquez’s, where an innocent mistake resulted in life-changing consequences.

Miriam Aukerman, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Michigan, pointed out that deportations like this highlight a lack of oversight in the detention process, leaving individuals vulnerable to deportation without ever seeing a judge. “In a democracy, there must be access to people in detention,” Aukerman stated.

A History of Deportations Without Due Process

Vásquez is not the only one affected by this issue. Last month, authorities also detained a mother from Guatemala after she unintentionally crossed into Canada. This trend of detaining and deporting individuals without due process is concerning, especially as it seems that the system is quick to punish those who make an innocent mistake, such as taking a wrong turn.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Response

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that authorities deported Vásquez to El Salvador on March 15, 2025. They rejected claims that he wasn’t listed among those sent to prison, instead stating that authorities allegedly identified Vásquez as part of a criminal group called Tren de Aragua, which reportedly crossed into the U.S. at Brownsville, Texas, in November 2024. However, immigration rights advocates maintain that this information does not justify his deportation without legal representation or due process.

What Happens Next?

This case highlights significant concerns about the treatment of immigrants at U.S. borders. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) called the situation heartbreaking, emphasizing that a wrong turn should never result in the erosion of someone’s legal rights. “It’s infuriating to hear the story of Sarahi and Mr. Prada,” Tlaib said. Both cases highlight the vulnerability of immigrants who find themselves caught in a flawed system that is quick to deport without adequate safeguards.

While the CBP maintains that individuals seeking to enter the U.S. are subject to regular inspection procedures, many argue that the current system needs a complete overhaul to ensure fair treatment and due process for everyone, regardless of immigration status.

More…

• https://www.kgns.tv/2025/04/27/uber-eats-driver-reportedly-deported-el-salvador-after-making-wrong-turn
• https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/us/venezuela-immigrant-disappear-deport-ice.html
• https://abc7chicago.com/post/ricardo-prada-vsquez-venezuelan-man-deported-el-salvador-taking-wrong-turn-ambassador-bridge-reports/16247399